FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla., Aug. 31, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Robotic Workspace Technologies, Inc. (RWT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Innova Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:IVHG), an automation technology company providing hardware and software systems-based solutions to the motion control market including service, personal, and industrial robotics and machine tool automation, announced today that Neil Dueweke has been named President of RWT.
Mr. Dueweke's career includes more than 20 years in the high-technology, industrial automation sector working with multi-national conglomerates like ABB and Fanuc in robotics and factory automation, as well as start-up and smaller-sized technology firms. He has managed hardware, software, and service oriented companies.
"Neil brings extensive knowledge of the industrial automation sector, specifically robotics, controls, software, and applications, to RWT, as well as proven leadership abilities," says Walter Weisel, Chairman and CEO of Innova Holdings, Inc. "He has an extensive track record of market development and revenue growth. We are looking forward to Neil's leadership in realizing not only the full market potential for RWT's products and services, but also in establishing strategic industry relationships."
Neil spent 12 years with FANUC Robotics, a worldwide leader in robotics, controls, and factory automation systems, where he managed the formation and operation of several new business units. As General Manager of the Flexible Automation Assembly Business Unit, Neil's team developed a patented programmable device to enable automotive factory assembly lines to produce multiple products using one set of tooling. While at FANUC (then called GMF Robotics), he is credited with achieving double-digit revenue growth year over year.
During his tenure at Fanuc, Neil also served as Program Manager, SATURN responsible for the successful launch of SATURN'S state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Springhill, TN. In this position, Neil generated substantial sales and annual growth of products, systems, and services.
Early in his career in the robotics industry, he worked for ABB Robotics, (then called ASEA Robotics), as the North American Program Manager for Adhesives and Sealant systems. He led the development and rollout of several 'adhesive/sealant function packages' that were sold through system integrators and opened non-automotive markets to the company.
Neil held the position of Senior Vice President, Global Emerging and Industrial Markets at Perceptron, a publicly traded company specializing in factory automation process management solutions including machine vision and sensing (detection) equipment. Here he led the company's entry into several new markets, including forestry and aerospace, and achieved a year-to-year revenue increase of 41 percent. Under his leadership, the company launched its first Internet-based product suite developed for automotive market applications.
Neil founded Sorrento Partners, a business advisory service to technology start-ups and emerging companies, and contributed to the establishment and/or growth of six new Michigan-based technology companies within 18 months. In recognition of this ability and record of accomplishment, Neil was nominated in 2004 as one of only six statewide Board of Director candidates for the forthcoming Michigan Venture Funds of Funds by the State of Michigan Senate.
In his role as President of RWT, Neil will lead and direct activities from the Detroit-area office that was established earlier this year. Neil will report directly to Walter Weisel who remains Chief Executive Officer of RWT. Together these two industry experts will accelerate the company's strategies for international growth.
"RWT is at the center of one of the industry's most exciting, fastest growing sectors," says the new President. "Over the next five years, we're going to see a breathtaking transformation of automation and control, the interface between open-source technology and operators, and industrial computing in the enterprise environment. I am delighted to join RWT at this time and I am committed to assuring that RWT continues to lead the market with innovative, open architecture solutions," Neil states.